Petraeus: Iraqi insurgents attacks up(but encouraging signs in Baghdad)

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Insurgents in Iraq have sought to intensify attacks during a security crackdown in Baghdad, the new commander of U.S. forces of Iraq said Thursday.

U.S. Gen. David Petraeus said the backlash has come since U.S. and Iraqi forces began the security sweep three weeks ago.

"Car bombs have targeted hundreds of Iraqis," Petraeus said in his first news conference since taking over command last month.

Petraeus also denounced the "thugs with no soul" who have killed more than 150 Shiite pilgrims in the past three days.

link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070308/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_petraeus_1

U.S. commander sees encouraging signs in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S.-backed Iraqi security crackdown in Baghdad will take months and "sensational attacks" will continue but there have already been encouraging signs of progress, the U.S. commander in Iraq said on Thursday.

General David Petraeus, in his first news conference in Baghdad since taking command of U.S. forces in Iraq last month, said sectarian killings and displacement were down in recent weeks in the capital.

"(It's) too early to discern significant trends, (but) there have been a few encouraging signs," he said.

He said U.S. and Iraqi forces would press ahead with the plan while "recognizing that some sensational attacks inevitably will continue to take place."

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070308/ts_nm/iraq_usa_general_dc_1

U.S. general says no need now for more Iraq troops
08 Mar 2007 09:10:33 GMT
Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, March 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. military commander in Iraq said on Thursday he currently saw no immediate need to request more U.S. troops other those already announced.

General David Petraeus, in his first news conference in Baghdad since taking command of U.S. forces in Iraq last month, said he had discussed with his second in command on Thursday whether he had enough troops for his current mission in Iraq.

"Right now we do not see other requests (for troops) looming out there. That's not to say that some emerging mission or emerging task will not require that, and if it does then we will ask for that," Petraeus said.

more:http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08475079.htm

[IndianaGreen]

1. Victory is at hand! The light is at the end of the tunnel!

General Petraeus is channeling General Westmoreland.

[dipsydoodle]

5. Problem is

it's at the far end of a train tunnel and they are only just beginning to realise that it's on the front of a train coming in their direction.

[saigon68]

8. "there are some encouraging signs"

IDIOT

He has no idea they are doing other things

Maybe Zuba will come out periodically

[Solly Mack]

2. Petraeus is a fan of Creighton Abrams and his Vietnam strategy

Maybe they'll be a Petraeus Tank in his future.

I'm laughing but it's not funny

[leftchick]

3. Vietnam redux

I sure hope it doesn't take ten more years of this slog.

[cal04]

4. U.S.: Iraqi insurgent attacks intensifying

Insurgents have sought to intensify attacks during a Baghdad security crackdown and additional U.S. forces will be sent to areas outside the capital where militant groups are regrouping, the new commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said Thursday.

U.S. Gen. David Petraeus said the troop buildups outside Baghdad will focus on Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, a growing hotbed for suspected Sunni extremists fleeing the U.S.-Iraqi security operation in Baghdad.

But Petraeus stressed that military force alone is "not sufficient" to end the violence in Iraq and political talks must eventually include some militant groups now opposing the U.S.-backed government.

"This is critical," Petraeus said in his first news conference since taking over command last month. He noted that such political negotiations "will determine in the long run the success of this effort."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070308/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_petraeus;_ylt=AubHMF4Ia9B3PVvmC9zvOSzMWM0F

[LynnTheDem]

6. More people dying = "encouraging signs".

The George W. bUsh way of "thinking".

[rodeodance]

7. U.S.: Iraqi insurgent attacks intensifying

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070308/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=Ako5GPNz6INg.4uPnj.KCzes0NUE

U.S.: Iraqi insurgent attacks intensifying

By LAUREN FRAYER, Associated Press Writer 53 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Military force alone is "not sufficient" to end the violence in
Iraq and political talks must eventually include some militant groups now opposing the U.S.-backed government, the new commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said Thursday.

"This is critical," U.S. Gen. David Petraeus said in his first news conference since taking over command last month. He noted that such political negotiations "will determine in the long run the success of this effort."

American troops have stepped up efforts to clear and secure major highways around the capital as part of the Baghdad security crackdown, which began last month. The
Pentagon has pledged 17,500 combat troops for the capital.

Petraeus said Thursday "it was very likely" that additional U.S. forces will be sent to areas outside the capital where militant groups are regrouping, including the Diyala province northeast of Baghdad.

[bemildred]

9. (It's) too early to discern significant trends, (but) there have been a few encouraging signs,"

Reading the entrails of goats perhaps.

[Swede]

10. BREAKING: Black is now white,up is now down................

:shrug:

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. This is gtting ridiculous: it's like relying on a CEO for news about the company

The fawning devotion with which reporters hang on the "commanders'" every word is absolutely absurd. Hey, reporters, remember that bit about objectivity? Yeah. The generals have a careerist stake in "improvement." Check that. on the appearance of improvement. Petreaus, especially, now has his whole career and historical legacy riding on the success of HIS plan. For this reason, every single thing he says should be taken with a massive grain of salt. Every eight year old would know this. Not the Washington Post.

[Rose Siding]

12. Reuters: U.S. commander says no military solution to Iraq

"There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," Petraeus said.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2007-03-08T122146Z_01_PAR834302_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-USA-GENERAL.xml

[gratuitous]

13. Petraeus called them "thugs with no soul"?

Does he know for sure they don't listen to Otis Redding?

Seriously, though, it's hard to fathom how a general in a wehrmacht that indiscriminately and without warning drops 500 pound and 2,000 pound bombs on civilians who can't fight back and can't get away would have the nerve to call anyone else a thug or opine on the state of their souls. I read the account of a "powerful" IED that sends three of our military folks into Eternity, and I feel bad about that. I read an account about our military folks dropping enormous bombs on people living in earthen homes, and the writer clearly expects the reader to cheer the result.

Something very evil has infected America, and we're hardly in any position to make judgments about other people's response to our war-making.

[IndianaGreen]

14. "Something very evil has infected America."

I couldn't agree more with your analysis of our current situation. Our civic and political institutions have failed us. I miss the days of the republic!

[Massachusetts]

15. "there have been a few encouraging signs," he said.

Right, like we can still breath the air.